Weekly Update #158

Editor's Note

Still trying to balance work, home life and writing. Weekly Updates can be especially difficult due to the Links of the Multiverse section. Sadly its probably something I am going to be struggling with my entire life.

And now the news...

What is Outlander?

The speculative fiction community can't shut up about the TV series Outlander, but what is the show about? I haven't watched any episodes yet, but I do have the Internet to answer all of my questions. Outlander is a TV series on Starz based on the books by Diana Gabaldon (there are also graphic novels). The premise is that in 1945, married World War II nurse Claire Beauchamp Randall finds herself transported back to Scotland in 1743, where she finds civil war and the dashing Scottish warrior Jamie Fraser.

The fist episode generated record breaking ratings for the network and they have already renewed it for a second season. The show is notable for its "female gaze" and the critics love the show so far. Sharlene Mousfar at Geek Syndicate gave the first episode a 5 out of 5 and said "I really love the interpretation of this series thus far and I HIGHLY recommend you re-watch the episode."

Well looks I need to check this show out. Hopefully I can have a review in the near future.

More on The League of Seven by Alan Gratz

Some of you may remember that I am currently reading Alan Gratz's The League of Seven, so of course I noticed these articles on Tor promoting the book. The first is a guest article by the author himself discussing the pneumatic postal system New York City used from 1897 to 1953. On that same day Rajan Khanna posted a review of the book calling it a "thrilling and exciting (and sometimes dark) beginning to what I hope is a long series to come. Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys middle-grade fiction."

Well that is some good news for Alan. So far I am enjoying the book (it stirs up old memories of Animorphs) so we will see my final verdict in the days to come.

Links to the Multiverse

Books

Boleyn trilogy author argues that 'twisted history' is still historical fiction by Hikari Loftus at Deseret News.
Cover & Synopsis: OF NOBLE FAMILY by Mary Robinette Kowal (Plus: A GLAMOURIST HISTORIES Cover Gallery!) at SF Signal.
Eric Brown on What Steampunk Means To Me at SF Signal.
How Not To Choose Alternate History Scenarios by Kate Paulk at Mad Genius Club.
Read an Excerpt from Chris Wooding’s Steampunk Adventure THE ACE OF SKULLS: A TALE OF THE KETTY JAY at SF Signal.
Read an Excerpt from George Mann’s SHERLOCK HOLMES: THE SPIRIT BOX at SF Signal.
Review: Beyond Apollo by Barry N Malzberg at Thinking about books.
Review: Coming Home by Roy E. Stolworthy at Alt Hist.
Review: Flawed by J.L. Spelbring at The Library Canary.
Review: Last Orders by Harry Turtledove at Bloggin with Badger.
Review: The Madonna and the Starship by James Morrow.
Sneak Preview: "Hi Hitler!" by Gavriel D. Rosenfeld at The Counterfactual History Review.
Time Traveler's Wife sequel from Niffenegger at The Bookseller.

Comics

Review: Steampunk Battlestar Galactica 1880 #1 at RWG.

Counterfactuals, History and News

10 (More) Gorgeous Colorized Photos That Put History In A New Light by Priscilla Frank The Huffington Post.
The Greatest Fake Religion of All Time by Jesse Walker at io9.
Obama's and Hillary's Competing Syrian Counterfactuals by Gavriel D. Rosenfeld at The Counterfactual History Review.
Plenty of Room at the Top of Ukraine’s Fading Rebellion by Andre E Kramer at The New York Times.
What if Rocky Marciano Fought On? by Fox Doucette at The Boxing Tribune.
Would arming Syria’s rebels have stopped the Islamic State? by Marc Lynch at The Washington Tribune.

Films and Television

Now This Is The League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen Movie We Deserve by Lauren Davis at io9.
To Boldly Go Where No Comrade Has ... by Eric Hynes at The New York Times.

Games

Bioshock: Complex and Alternate Histories by Ryan Lizardi at Game Studies.
Mod of the Week: After the End, for Crusader Kings II by Christopher Livingston at PC Gamer.

Interviews

Rod Duncan at The Qwillery.

Podcasts

Hard and Soft Alternate Histories: The Time Roads by Beth Bernobich, The Shadow Master by Craig Cormick and Rod Duncan’s The Bullet Catcher’s Daughter at The Skiffy and Fanty Show.

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Matt Mitrovich is the founder and editor of Alternate History Weekly Update and a blogger on Amazing Stories. Check out his short fiction. When not writing he works as an attorney, enjoys life with his beautiful wife Alana and prepares for the inevitable zombie apocalypse. You can follow him on Facebook or Twitter.